Samwu march closes Joburg roads

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Johannesburg - Several roads in the Johannesburg city centre will be closed on Monday as approximately 8 000 Samwu members are expected to march through the city, metro police said.

Johannesburg Metro Police spokesperson, Superintendent Wayne Minnaar said the marchers were expected to gather at Mary Fitzgerald Square in Newtown from 09:00.

"They will march up Bree Street, turn left into Miriam Makeba Street and cross the Nelson Mandela Bridge. From there they will turn into Jorrison Road in Braamfontein, from where they will march up to the Metro Centre to hand over a memorandum," said Minnaar.

The marchers will then follow the same route back to Mary Fitzgerald Square.

"The march will start at 10 and is expected to go on until midday."

Minnaar expected the march to be peaceful, but said a "staff skeleton" of metro police officers and the South African Police will be on duty to block off roads and monitor the march.

Metro police join march

"According to an agreement with Samwu a percentage of metro police officers will be allowed to join the march," he said. Metro police officers are considered essential workers, and are usually not allowed to strike.

Minnaar said all Johannesburg's licensing departments would also be closed for the strike as the offices would also be operating on a "skeleton staff". This included the Midrand, Randburg, Sandton and Lang Laagte testing stations.

"Applicants who will not be able to be tested for their learners and drivers' licences will be accommodated on another date at no extra costs," said Minnaar.

He said the licensing department would call these applicants to arrange new dates.

Minnaar expected the strike to be over after Monday.

"If it goes on longer, the management will have to meet and make new arrangements," he said.

Johannesburg City called on Samwu and its striking members to ensure that the rights of non-striking worker are respected during their strike

Spokesperson Nthatise Modingoane said: "The City calls on the union leadership to ensure that Samwu members refrain from any act of intimidation or lawlessness whilst exercising their right to strike."